What is it about?
In recent years, geogenic and human activities have significantly contributed to heavy metal(loid) (HM) contamination of soil, negatively affecting the environment, plant health, and human well-being. Phytoremediation, a developing, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly technology, utilizes indigenous or exotic plant species to naturally purify and remove toxic HM(s) from contaminated soil. The plant's rhizomicrobiome plays a crucial role in enhancing plant nutrition, health, and the efficiency of phytoremediation. Notably, certain secondary metabolites produced by plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) directly aid in HM bioremediation through mechanisms such as chelation, mobilization, sequestration, bioadsorption, and bioaccumulation. These processes alter the bioavailability of metal(loid)s, facilitating their uptake, accumulation, and translocation by plants. Additionally, the metallotolerance of both PGPR and the host plant is essential for the successful phytoremediation of HM-polluted soils. Among the available phytoremediation techniques, phytoextraction (mobilization, uptake, and accumulation of HMs in various plant tissues) and phytostabilization (immobilization of HMs within the soil) have gained prominence. Natural hyperaccumulating plants, capable of absorbing high levels of metal(loid)s, have been identified as promising candidates for HM remediation. Moreover, the development of transgenic rhizobacterial or plant strains with improved environmental adaptability and metal(loid) uptake capacities through genetic engineering could pave the way for advancements in PGPR-assisted phytoremediation technologies. By integrating Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to identify HM-affected areas and combining natural or transgenic hyperaccumulator plants with rhizobacterial inoculants, efficient phytoremediation strategies can be developed. This integrated approach has the potential to accelerate the clean up of large HM-contaminated regions and ultimately restore ecosystem health.
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Why is it important?
By integrating Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to identify HM-affected areas and combining natural or transgenic hyperaccumulator plants with rhizobacterial inoculants, efficient phytoremediation strategies can be developed. This integrated approach has the potential to accelerate the clean up of large HM-contaminated regions and ultimately restore ecosystem health.
Perspectives
By utilizing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to map and identify heavy metal (HM) contaminated areas, effective phytoremediation strategies can be developed. Combining natural or transgenic hyperaccumulator plants with rhizobacterial inoculants enhances this process. Hyperaccumulator plants are capable of absorbing and storing significant amounts of heavy metals in their tissues, while rhizobacteria promote plant growth and increase metal uptake efficiency. This integrated approach not only helps in accurately identifying contaminated regions but also accelerates the cleanup process. The use of GIS ensures that remediation efforts are targeted and optimized for maximum efficiency, reducing time and resources needed for large-scale restoration. Incorporating rhizobacterial inoculants with hyperaccumulators boosts the plants’ ability to tolerate and accumulate heavy metals, leading to more successful remediation outcomes. Overall, this combination of advanced technology and biological interventions offers a promising solution to restore ecosystem health in areas impacted by heavy metal pollution. By speeding up the natural processes involved in phytoremediation, this strategy holds great potential for addressing widespread contamination and promoting environmental recovery.
Dr. ABHIJIT MITRA
University of Calcutta
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Plant growth-promoting rhizobacterial secondary metabolites in augmenting heavy metal(loid) phytoremediation: An integrated green in situ ecorestorative technology, Environmental Science and Pollution Research, September 2024, Springer Science + Business Media,
DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-34706-8.
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